Planning on going to Sturgis this year for the 1st time. Give me your input on where to stay, what not to miss, what to miss, and any other general information.

 

Sturgis is all about what you want to do. Are you going by yourself or with some? My wife and I have been going for a couple of years and really enjoy it. We usually stay 7 days as it is a vacation. We stay in Custer as it is less crazy. Also as it is on the end of the Black Hills, no matter which way you go you always get a great ride. Riding is great everywhere. If non-stop partying is your thing, stay closer to Sturgis or the Buffalo Chip. It is unbelievable. If you have not made reservations anywhere yet, it may be tuff to find some place. Most make reservations a year in advance. You might try the Rocket Motel in Custer. Great place.

 

Went in 06, amazing riding especiaslly for someone from a crowded area. Things I liked most were Deadwood - Wild Bill Hickock's grave & casinos, Crazy Horse & Rushmore, Iron Mt. road. Devil's Tower Wyoming ( keep a full tank gas is sometime not available), Now what most people will shoot down, I went 3 weeks after bike week, I wanted to ride the area without 500,000 friends crowding all the stops also the T shirts are all 1/2 price. No matter when you go it's spectacular riding Enjoy,

ps I stayed in Spearfish SD.

 

We have a small groupmaking the trip this year, and first time for most. We are looking to enjoy the scenic rides, anda small doseof the rally atmosphere. For these reasons we are doing the same as you, we are camping in Custer, and will make a day trip to Sturgis, enjoying the ride there and back.

 

We were able to spend two weeks traveling the area and we ended with the last 3 days in the Sturgis area for the rally. We took off on bikes from Spearfish (just outside of Sturgis), past the Devils Tower, through Sheridan, Wyoming. across the Big Horn Mountains into Red Lodge Montana. Came down the Bear Tooth Pass which is absolutely amazing and into Yellowstone. Back out to Cody for a few days. Down through Thermopolis, through Casper, Medicine Bow, Laramie and on down to Grand Lakes, Colorado. Next day we crossed the Rockies (snow on top), through Fort Collins, CO. and up through Cheyenne, Wy. on to Newcastle, Wyoming. Next day was Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. Then Wall Drug Store and the Badlands - Back to Sturgis for the rally. If you go into the legendary Buffalo Chip Campground, I would recommend the pitchfork fondue. Your steaks are stuck on a pitchfork and fried in a deep vat. Very delicious. We stay in the Palace Inn Express in Lead, SD (4 miles out of Deadwood - 15 miles out of Sturgis). It is a great location and a pleasant ride back even if you stay in Sturgis until very late. Have fun!!!!

 

hey brother first I can tell u you need reservations asap. I went 03,05 and am going this year 08 too. I love the camping experience so know nothing about them there hotels. take lots of film, and sun screen. the ride is the best and as i see some older posts go for as long as you can. Eagles landing campground aka camp sturgis .com is about the cheapest CG, and just at the other end of town and up on a slight hill. very little shade though. plan your trip well so you can see as much as u can because unless you plan on going several times you will never see all you can see. also try to get to no panties wednsday in Hewlett Wy. but get there early great day for a party. if you like you can reach me at my email www.thejazzhd@yahoo.com for more info. I stay for 2 weeks and ride about 3k miles for the first 8 days traveling all over from wy, montana,nd, etc; and yellow stone is awesome, and certainly keep an eye out for running buffalo etc. almost got rammed my first time out to YS park by herd. anyway you will love it. enjoy and if anyone is leaving from the northeast area write me an maybe we can get together for the ride out, but because of back problems I have to trailer. also have room on truck or trailer for 1 - 2 bikes maybe at this time....

 

Thanks for your help and info. I'm not a trailer guy but looks like I may trailer her up. We can swap off driving in the truck and make it from Florida in about 30 hours. That allows me 4 extra days to stay in the area instead of riding the scoot up and spending 3 day going up there and 3 coming home.

 

If you are anywhere in the Black Hills during the rally you will get more than a small dose of the rally atmosphere. Have fun!

 

Good luck to you. I'm always interested in this subject since we have our first trip there planned this year. We are campers and are taking our motorhome pulling our trailer of bikes with us. We are staying at a campground about an hour away called Rafter J. Bar. Far enough away to enjoy the rides in the beautiful area, close enough to get to the rally and enjoy. You'd better get those reservations in!!

 

Rhonda,
It looks like you have some a great set up for the camping and have chosen a great location. It is close to Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore andNeedles Highway. I would be you will see a bit of wildlife in the area you are camping. Have fun! Nancy